What You Need To Know To Set Up A Backyard Aquaponics System

Before you start setting up a backyard aquaponics system there are a number of things you should know. Some of the most important things you should start with are measuring the space in your backyard, determining the types and sizes of the plants you’re going to grow and knowing what type of fish you’re going to add to the system.The Best Plants For An Aquaponics System As a rule of thumb root crops are not good for an aquaponics system. Because the aquaponics system uses growing mediums such as lay pebbles which hinders the growth of root crops owing to inadequate space. The best crops are leafy vegetables, greens and fruit bearing plants. However, there is a limitation as far as the nutrient content of the system is concerned. At times you may have to supplement your plants with phosphorus and potassium to ensure optimal growth. So, it’s important to know which plants to use so that it does not cause an imbalance. Some of the best plants to grow in an Aquaponics environment are:

Spearmint

Basil

Lettuce

Cilantro

Pac Choi

Hope

Okra

Cucumbers

The Right Grow Beds When setting up your backyard aquaponics system you are not limited to a rather small system as you otherwise would if you set it up at home. However, knowing exactly what size your system is going to be will depend on the space in your backyard. Usually, grow beds have a depth of around 30 cm. Deep grow beds provide the best results for all types of plants. If your backyard is large enough try to use the deepest grow bed you can find or design. This will enable you to easily lay down 3 thick layers of 5 cm each also often referred to as the surface. The Best Types Of Fish Adding the right types of fish to your aquaponics system is imperative to its eco system. And while you can add almost any type of fish the fact remains that you should add fish that you’re going to eat and easily survive in the system. Below is a list of some of the best types of fish to add to the system.

Tilapia – This is the best fish to add to an aquaponics system. Tilapia is easy to maintain and they grow fast. It also has the ability to survive in a fast changing environment which makes it ideal for this type of system. That being said the one drawback is that it’s a warm water fish so when the temperature drops you’ll need to warm the water.

Silver Perch – The silver perch can survive drastic changes in weather conditions. It grows and reproduces around the year and they love eating greens. But they take some time to grow i.e. 18 months.

Koi – This is a beautiful fish and often used as a display fish in numerous countries. It is attractive and because of that it can be sold at a high price. So if you’re interested in selling fish and not eating it this is the right choice.

Trout – This fish survives in low temperatures. It grows very fast and tastes great.